Project: A robotic actuator designed to
replicate the action of a human foot on a brake pedal with the measurement
of the force normal to a brake pedal required through the complete arc
of pedal travel. The actuator applies a force via a universal joint to
the loadcell. As the brake pedal rotates around its pivot, the angle
at which the force is applied through the loadcell changes. This angle
can be up to 40° dependant on the vehicle type.

The design used a double-ended shear beam of lightweight
aluminium construction. Tests carried out by the customer showed errors
at angles of up to 40° to be less than 5% of the applied load.